The 'Pietà' and the 'Raising of Lazarus' by Michelangelo & Sebastiano

In the video, curator Matthias Wivel introduces the Exhibition: Michelangelo & Sebastiano, which Credit Suisse sponsors.

Let’s explore the special relationship between Michelangelo, one of three great Italian masters in the High Renaissance, and Sebastiano del Piombo.

They met in Rome in 1511 as Michelangelo finished decorating the Sistine Chapel ceiling. About 1515, they became friends; Sebastiano was influenced by Michelangelo and began his collaboration with Michelangelo.

Central to the exhibition is two artworks of their collaboration: The 'Pietà' and The Raising of Lazarus.

The first result of this collaboration was one of Sebastiano's most important paintings, a Pietà (c. 1516–1517) for the church of San Francesco. Michelangelo provided the cartoon for the work. The painting is now in the Museo Civico in Viterbo.

The Raising of Lazarus (1517–1519) is a large altarpiece by Sebastiano. Michelangelo supplied drawings for some figures of this altarpiece. The work was intended for the Cathedral of Narbonne in France, it is now normally in the National Gallery, London.

The exhibition also introduces two versions of Michelangelo's 'The Risen Christ.'

The first version was commissioned in June 1514. But it was abandoned in roughed-out condition around 1515 when he discovered a black vein in the white marble. His first version was finished by a later artist.

The second version was finished in 1521. Now it is in the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, to the left of the main altar.

Besides, the exhibition features paintings, drawings, sculptures, and letters documenting correspondence between the two artists.

Listen to the exhibition curator Matthias Wivel to discover more about these two Italian painters.